Oscars 2016: The Best Skin, Hair and Makeup Looks on the Red Carpet

BOOM, it's Oscar time! Last night in Los Angeles, we arrived at the grande finale of the 2016 awards season. 

Of course, there are many celeb hair and makeup situations we need to discuss—including Alicia Vikander's half-up hair, Brie Larson's hot pink lipstick, and more.

Here are the must-see beauty looks:

Alicia Vikander

Makeup-wise, Alicia nailed the whole fresh-but-matte thing. There's contour, but it passes the close-up test. I also like the soft lips and monochromatic taupe lids. Half-up hair isn't the most current style (and we've seen it a million times on her), but it works with this strapless gown. There's a little bun back there, so at least it's not exactly the same!

Brie Larson 

Brie needs to wear fuchsia lipstick more often! Those brownish makeup tones she used to wear were doing her no favours. This shade is so pretty against fresh but matte skin, subtle but brightening eyeshadow and brushed-up (but not dark) brows. And we've got half-up hair again, which basically works with this look.

Brie is wearing: Eyeshadow in Moonlight Pink • Eyeliner in Purple Choc • Lipstick in Rayonnante

Kerry Washington

Kerry's Cleopatra-esque eyeliner is so good! It definitely brings the cool factor to this red carpet. Her pale, subtly shiny lips are exactly the right choice with the eyes. But I'm not crazy about how the lashes and brows were handled, and I wonder if this was the right hairstyle. She already has an oblong face shape, so the height at the top accentuates that.

Kerry is wearing: Foundation in Cocoa • Blush in Raisin Glow • Brow wax • Eyeliner in Noir • Eyeliner in Cosmic Black • Mascara in Carbon Black • Lip crayon in Almond Nude

Margot Robbie

Margot went for the simplest hair and makeup to counter the glitziness of her plunging gold dress. The air-dried hair texture (even though I'm sure it wasn't, in fact, air-dried) with fresh perfected skin is just right. I love the darker brows that don't look obviously filled in, and natural lashes—no harsh liner or shadow. Her lips have sharper edges but the hue is still soft.

Margot is wearing: Primer • Foundation • Lipstick in Sensual

Rooney Mara

Rooney seriously looks like a porcelain doll. But in a good way—her skin is flawless, and the eyeshadow and blush were so carefully applied, you can't tell where they begin or end. Lips and lashes are perfect, and I love the little fans adding interest to her brows. 

Rooney is wearing: Serum • Foundation in 10 Beige and 12 Beige Rosé • Powder • Concealer in SC-2 (to highlight under brows) • Blush in Rose Pètale • Eyebrow pencil in Brun Cendré • Waterproof mascara in Noir • Lip liner in Cinnamon • Lipstick in La Sensuelle

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka's brownish-berry lip colour is gorgeous, and so is its soft, creamy texture. I like that she didn't go crazy with shadow or liner (would've been too heavy). I can live with these lashes. I feel "meh" on the centre-parted ponytail, though.

Priyanka is wearing: Brow powder in Dark Brown • Brow pencil in Soft Brunette • False lashes in Short • Lipstick in Cocoa Pout • Lipstick in Seduction

Rachel McAdams

I've been critical of Rachel's hair lately, but she pulled it together for Oscars night, when it counted! She touched up her roots, which gives the sleek updo more polish. I like the blondification a lot with the green dress and matching green liner. Soft pink lipstick and a warm blush complete the look. 

Rachel is wearing: Contour in Bronzing • Eyeshadow in Griffith Green • Lipstick in Conte

Kate Winslet

Kate looks a little more relaxed than we often see her on the red carpet—her hair and makeup aren't quite so "done." I like the fresher skin texture and light touch on the eyes. But I feel like her hair could use an update, both in terms of colour and cut. How about a slightly darker blonde and a fresh chop of a few inches? It would be so much more current and youthful. 

Kate is wearing: Primer • Foundation in No. 4 and No. 5 • Blush in Shimmer Rose Cashmere • Eyeshadow in Nude and Joie • Eyeliner in Noir • Eyeliner in Pluie • False lashes • Mascara in Noir Mirifique • Lip balm • Lipstick in Beige Mirage

Reese Witherspoon

Reese's general adorableness shines through here. I like her eyes the best; the gold shadow isn't too yellow, and illuminates the area (along with fluffy lashes, no dark liner). I think simple hair is always a good idea to counter a dramatic strapless dress. I only take issue with the blush! Or is that contour? Whatever the intent, it's too intense.

Reese is wearing: Foundation • Blush in Chestnut (as contour) • Blush in Happy • Blush in Flair • Eyeliner in Violet Damask • Eyeshadow in Laguna • Eyeshadow in Peach • Lipstick in Red Juniper • Lipstick in Poppy

Olivia Wilde

Routines

How to Do Nicole Kidman’s Skincare Routine

Reviews

Editor’s Picks: 16 of the Best Bath Salts and Bath Soaks to Relax Your Body and Soften Your Skin

Reviews

From Odacité to HoliFrog: 21 of the Best New Skincare Products Launching In October

I'm impressed with Olivia's skin coverage—she has zero discolourations or redness, yet it doesn't look like she's wearing heavy makeup. I'm also in a no-blush phase right now, so I like the lighter hand on the cheeks. But I'm not feeling this braided updo and soft colour palette. I always like her best in bold, creative eye makeup and with her hair down.

Olivia is wearing: Foundation • Concealer • Highlighter in Peach Glow • Blush in Classy Coral • Eyeshadow in Decadent • Eyeshadow in Burnished Bling • Eyeliner in Black • Brow pencil in Light Brown • Mascara in Blackest Black • Lip liner in Natural • Lipstick in Champagne On Ice

Saoirse Ronan

Don't mind me, just freaking out over Saoirse's sparkly silvery grey eyeshadow. I like that the rest of the makeup is super-natural and muted, not even any shine on the lips. But I feel like a sleek updo would have made this look more of a showstopper.

Saoirse is wearing: Illuminator • Blush in Fandango • Eyeshadow in Mysterio • Eyeshadow in Tissé Smoky • Eyeliner in Feuilles • Mascara in Noir • Lipstick in Adrienne

Cate Blanchett

Cate's skincare regimen must still be working wonders, because her complexion is so flawless. I love the sheer touch on the lips—sans lip liner—with a wash of pale purple eyeshadow on the lids. The new blonde bob is equal parts classy and casual.

Cate is wearing: Blush in 506 • Eyeshadow in 08 Flannel • Eyeshadow in 10 Senso (as liner) • Lipstick in Beige 103

Sofia Vergara

I like that Sofia went with a glossier lip texture this time, and wore her hair back. But I really dislike these strip lashes (which don't even come close to approximating normal human eyelashes!). And I feel like her brows would look better with a bit more grooming, such as with brow gel.

Jennifer Garner

On past red carpets, I've sometimes felt like Jennifer's hair, makeup and dress were wearing her and not vice-versa. Fortunately, that's not happening here. They're nothing exciting, but the simple updo and fresh, soft makeup are very well-suited to her girl next door aura. I especially like the peachy lip colour. 

Jennifer is wearing: Eyeliner in Cosmic Black (upper lash lines) • Eyeliner in Brushed Pewter (lower lash lines) • Eyeshadow in Soft Taupe • Blush in Rosy • Lip crayon in Classic Nude

Daisy Ridley

This is my kind of beauty look right here. Daisy looks so fresh, young and chic in a strawberry lipstick (notice the soft edges) and silver shadow all the way up to her brows and under her eyes. Love, love, love! Her lashes are natural, but her brows got darkened to frame her face—albeit with no harsh angles. Pulling her hair back and up makes it feel super-clean. 

Daisy is wearing: Lip liner in Scarlet • Lipstick in Histoire

Lady Gaga

I'm very into Gaga's metallic copper eyeshadow paired with soft lipstick in a similar tone. Her skin also looks really good, and I guess this Marilyn Monroe-style 'do is in her wheelhouse. But it might be time to step away from the brow bleach.

Lady Gaga is wearing: Eyeshadow in Topaz • Eyeshadow in Mango, Toffee and Burgundy • Eyeshadow in Pearl and Silver • Eyeshadow in Dream • Eyeliner in Smoked Topaz • Mascara in Deep Black

Julianne Moore

Julianne never gets it wrong, does she? I appreciate that we're seeing her real skin—not covered up with gobs of makeup—and loose, shiny, healthy hair. Less is more on her, so a little dab of blush, soft pink lips and sparkly shadow are all she needs. 

Julianne is wearing: Blush in Pink Lift • Lipstick in Jennifer's Nude

Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy's gold glitter eyeshadow and nude lipstick give her a warm, subtle glow. But I don't think she needs to overline her lips so much, and the false lashes are weighing her down. Her hair is sexy and voluminous, styled in an intricate braid at the back.

Chrissy is wearing: Foundation • Concealer • Powder • Contour • Blush in Tinge • Eyeshadow in Unzipped • Eyeliner in Black • Eyeliner in Bronze • Mascara in Black • Brow pencil • Lipstick in Nude and Rose Brown • Lip gloss in Socialite

Emily Blunt

The waves in Emily's hair straddle the line between vintage and modern—they hold their shape but don't look stiff. I've noted in the past that bolder makeup can overwhelm her, so I'm glad she (mostly) stuck to soft pinks. I'm just not loving the super long individual lashes at her outer corners.

Emily is wearing: Foundation • Concealer • Blush in Pink Mosaic • Eye primer in Cotton • Eyeshadow in Rose Gold and Grey Pearl • Eyeshadow in Cashmere • Eyeshadow in Petal Pink • Mascara in Black • Lipstick in Amaretto Swirl

Charlize Theron

I'm actually paying more attention to the dress (which is amazing) than the beauty part—but Charlize did a good job with that, too. What draws me to this look is that it's SO glamorous, yet it also plays to her athleticism and doesn't try to be too girly. I really like the absence of colour on her face, particularly the tone-on-tone eye makeup.

Charlize is wearing: Eyeshadow in 796 Cuir Cannage • Eyeshadow in 573 Mineral

If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. See our Disclosure for more information.